See The Change USA receives tax exempt status

See The Change USA announced its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status Wednesday, Feb. 26. See The Change USA is an organization based in Colorado Springs dedicated to providing age-appropriate physics courses to every middle school in the country.

Under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, all donations to See The Change USA are now fully tax-deductible retroactive to the company’s founding Aug. 23, 2012. Also, the organization is now eligible to apply for government and foundation grants, which will expand the organization’s resources and reach.

See The Change USA seeks to generate an interest in scientific and technological fields by introducing quality physics courses to students in middle school. In addition to meeting with faculty members once a week, See The Change USA provides curriculums, lesson plans and assistance to teachers. The goal is to inspire students to think critically about the world around them, a skill that See The Change USA officials believe will aid students beyond the classroom.

The organization is involved in seven schools, affecting 1,900 students and about 40 teachers. In a video accompanying the release, Corpus Christi Middle School announced that students gained two years in science on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills after four months in the program. Harrison School District noted that students entering the program two to three years behind in science finished more than a year ahead of grade level.

See The Change USA’s President and CEO, Dave Csintyan, thanked the organization’s supporters while commenting on a brighter future for America and its students.

“Obtaining our 501(c)(3) status is a major milestone for See The Change USA. This opens many doors for us to expand our fundraising activities and fully realize our goals as a charitable educational organization,” Csintyan said. “In doing so, we will create a new generation of workforce-ready employees, (with) 21st-century skills and critical thinking skills, across all occupations and inspire our youth to pursue careers in science and technology.”

According to Maria Feekes, the vice president of operations for See The Change USA, the status change comes at an opportune moment. In a report released in 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor estimated that there would be 1.2 million job openings in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

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